Black Eyed Peas mastermind says President Obama ‘takes his time to speak to normal folk and important folk at the same.’ By James Montgomery Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am attends the Inaugural Youth Ball on Sunday Photo: Paul Morigi/ WireImage
On January 20, 2009, President Barack Obama (pictured) officially took office as the nation’s first African-American president, sharing his inaugural address with the millions who’d…
He may have stolen the headlines, but Lazaro Arbos was not the only strong performer to take the American Idol stage in Chicago last night. Among other hopefuls who received well-deserved tickets to Hollywood: Mackenzie Wasner , whose father played piano with Vince Gill for many years. She impressed with a rendition of “Whenever You Come Around,” as you can hear below. Kiara Lanier , who has sang for President Obama and who does not lack confidence. Watch her make Celine Dion proud in the following video. Mackenzie Wasner American Idol Audition Kiara Lanier American Idol Audition Two others who made sterling impressions: Isabelle Parell , only 15, who briefly dueled with Keith Urban on a Christmas classic, “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Brandy Neelly , who went with “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and made it sound as if it were written just for her. Solid emotion and vocal control here. Isabelle Parell American Idol Audition Brandy Neelly American Idol Audition
Thursday was a big day for Michelle Obama. The First Lady of the United States celebrated her 49th birthday , debuted a brand-new Twitter account (@FLOTUS) and is now sporting bangs! OMG! A photo of Michelle Obama meeting with Inaugural citizen co-chair David Hall yesterday showcased the hairstyle for the first time. Check it out: New term, new bangs? We’ll find out if this is more than a one- or two-day thing Monday, when President Barack Obama marks his second Inauguration Day. What do you think of Michelle Obama’s bangs? Love the new look! Not a big fan actually! View Poll »
Chris Christie has become the first Republican to call out the NRA for its tactics against Barack Obama and those fighting for stricter gun control laws . Earlier this week, an NRA ad hit the Internet that referred to Obama as an “elitist hypocrite” because his children attend a tightly-secured school. Chris Christie Slams NRA “To talk about the president’s children, or any public officer’s children, who have – not by their own choice, but by requirement – to have protection, and to use that somehow to try to make a political point is reprehensible,” Christie said. “The president doesn’t have a choice, and his children don’t have a choice, of whether they’re going to be protected or not. It’s awful to bring public figures’ children into the political debate. They don’t deserve to be there.” Christie, who is weighing a run for President in 2016, says NRA measures such as this serve as a waste and a distraction. “They’ve got real issues to debate on this topic. Get to the real issues. Don’t be dragging people’s children into this, it’s wrong, and I think it demeans them and it makes them less of a valid, trusted source of information on the real issues.” What do you think of the NRA ad in question? It’s spot on! It’s disgusting! View Poll »
A bidding war has erupted in Las Vegas over the services of the newly-single Britney Spears , who is ready to relocate to Sin City for a regular gig. The price tag? Not small. Three Las Vegas properties are trying to snag her as their headliner. She’d perform several nights a week and make appearances at clubs and events. Despite reports that the pop superstar had already signed with Caesar’s, two other properties have thrown their hat in the ring. It’s a biddin’ war, y’all! Who will win out? Probably whomever coughs up the most money and the best terms for Brit, who’s reportedly seeking a $200 million, two-year contract. Girl’s already got bank. She may soon break it.
NRA President David Keene said he is aggressively preparing for “battle” with the White House and Congress over President Obama’s gun control plan . He also defended the new NRA ad calling Obama an “elitist hypocrite.” NRA Ad: Obama a Hypocrite Keene criticized Obama’s announcement Wednesday, surrounded by four children from around the U.S., for “using kids to advance an ideological agenda.” He expressed confidence that few measures would ultimately pass. “It’s going to be very tough for the president to accomplish some of these things, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do it if he really turns it on,” Keene told ABC. “All bets are off when a president really wants to go to war with you,” the NRA president said, but “We’re gonna be there and we’re gonna fight it.” NRA members would hold accountable any politicians who “sell them out to some pie-in-the-sky scheme such as the president is proposing,” he said. The group launched a new “Stand and Fight” advocacy campaign Tuesday, opposing Obama’s gun control measures, anchored by a controversial new TV ad. The ad calls Obama an “elitist hypocrite” for sending his daughters to a private school with armed guards while being “skeptical” of armed security in all schools. The White House blasted the ad as “repugnant and cowardly.” Keene isn’t backing down, defending the ad last night: “When the question is the protection of children, which is what this is all about… it’s perfectly legitimate to ask why some should be protected and others should not be.” “We were talking about an elite class who criticizes others in their desire to be safe while making sure that they and their families and their children are always protected.” “We were not talking about the president’s kids. We’re not talking about the Secret Service protection [Obama’s] children enjoy – they ought to have that wherever they go.” Keene also slammed Obama for using kids as “props,” saying, “We didn’t line them up on stage and pat them on the shoulder while we urge somebody to take our position.” Gun control: Time for tougher measures? YES. Fewer guns, fewer tragedies! NO. It’s unconstitutional and won’t stop anything! View Poll »
On Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden says he will give President Barack Obama a list of recommendations to begin reducing the outrageous epidemic of gun…